“and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Gen 1:2)

Of the mysterious ministries of God’s Spirit, here is a glorious one to consider. He was “brooding upon” the waters. Elsewhere this same word is used: “like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers (flutters) over its young” (De 32:11)…watching, protecting, caring.

If we had our eyes open to this brooding movement of the Spirit, God’s working in our world would become much more alive to us. A B Simpson recognized it and wrote, “for as the Spirit of God in His gracious love was brooding over the earth in its darkness, so He in patient grace is moving on the hearts of men that they may know His saving grace and regenerating love.”

Where else might the Spirit be “fluttering”? David spoke of God’s deliverance: “You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Ps 32:7). Could it be this same hovering of the Spirit surrounds the praying soul in trouble (vs 6)? The surrounding of deliverance songs…could this be the Holy Spirit, beautiful Spirit?!

The rising waters will not reach that soul (vs 6). No, when the Spirit like the mother eagle is hovering over and protecting, a new unseen security is known. Where He is hovering, it can be expressed “You are my hiding place” (vs 7).—